Búzios, Azores

Advantages: Beautiful, charming, sophisticated beach resort
Disadvantages: Other than getting there - none really.

...You may notice from my 'ciao' name that I have some interest in Búzios and this is because it is my second home, or to be more precise, my holiday home as we own a holiday house there and our family visit every year. I therefore feel well qualified to comment on it as a holiday destination and will try not to be too biased. Búzios (the town's full name is Armação de Búzios) sits on the tip of a long, beach-rich peninsula jutting out into the clear blue Atlantic just 2 hours drive north of Rio de Janeiro. Until the 1960s Búzios was a small, sleepy fishing village. Then Brigitte Bardot stumbled upon it's sandy beaches in 1964, and in the years since the little town has used the publicity to turn itself into one of Brazil's top beach resorts. On summer holiday weekends the town is packed with Brazilians on vacation, many Carioca... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Stunning scenery, history and a great cup of tea!
Disadvantages: None

...Did you know that tea grows in Europe? Well I didn't until I went on holiday in the Azores. Friends all said "Where are the Azores?" so I'll start by briefly explaining where these wonderful islands are situated. The Azores consist of nine islands found in the Atlantic Ocean between the continents of America and Europe, Sao Miguel is the largest of these islands and is about a two and a half hours flight from Lisbon. Not quite the middle of the ocean, but a good distance from Portugal, so it came as a surprise to see tea growing. The temperate climate and rich volcanic soil results in lush vegetation and the growth of tropical plants - I can recommend the pineapples! We were touring the island and were on the lookout for another tea factory mentioned in the guide book, which we knew the bus tours visited, so were delighted... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Peaceful, marvellous, relatively cheap & friendly people
Disadvantages: Amenities, transport

...... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average not helpful